Charlotte smirked. "The Master called you a fool, and he wasn't wrong. I'm amazed you even graduated from Hogwarts. What were you thinking? Did it never occur to you how suspicious it was to find a diary by the Black Lake—one tied to the Chamber of Secrets?"
Lockhart's eyes widened in shock. "It was you?"
She shook her head. "No, the Master. Every move you've made fell right into his plans. He knew a coward like you, once you got the diary and learned its secrets, would dream of fleeing to pen some fame-making novel. But you'd need proof, so you'd come here. Now you've chickened out—but it's too late for that."
Lockhart's voice trembled. "What do you really want?"
Charlotte's laugh echoed coldly. "Someone has to take the fall for this mess. Only then can the innocent kids be safe. And you're the perfect scapegoat."
Terror flashed across his face. "You can't! I'll tell everyone—expose your schemes!"
"Suit yourself," she said dismissively. "But first, go inside."
"I won't," he snapped. "What can you do about it?"
"See? Predictable as ever. You've just shown me exactly how to deal with you."
Lockhart eyed her warily, unease twisting in his gut. The next instant, Charlotte flicked her wand. The Imperius Curse struck swift and silent, seizing control before he could blink.
She pocketed her wand with a scoff. "Pathetic. In you go."
His eyes glazed over, vacant and obedient, as he shuffled into the dark passage.
Deeper inside, the young witches and wizards stumbled upon the basilisk's massive shed skin, glinting faintly in the gloom.
Draco gasped. "Blimey, look at the size of that! How enormous must the snake be?"
Harry swallowed hard, his throat dry. The scale was horrifying—far beyond what he'd imagined.
Under Charlotte's influence, Lockhart followed her in. The Slytherins stepped aside, clearing a path. She paused by the skin, peering at its serpentine length. Her eyes narrowed. Merlin, it was bigger than she'd expected. The adults hadn't warned her about this. Could they even handle it? Doubt crept in— was this "practical training" a mad gamble?
She shook it off, trusting the grown-ups to pull through as always. If that beast lunged, her slight build wouldn't stand a chance.
The group pressed on, the air growing thicker with tension.
Meanwhile, atop a nearby stone ledge, Erwin chatted idly with the Heads of House.
Professor McGonagall frowned. "Erwin, are you certain this will go smoothly? A basilisk is no trifling matter. What if someone gets hurt?"
"That's why I gathered you all," he replied. "I can't shield everyone alone. The professors are itching to test their mettle—this is a golden opportunity. I've already spoken to the basilisk; it won't rampage full-force."
McGonagall nodded, glancing at the others. "Stay sharp, then. No harm comes to the students."
The Heads murmured agreement.
Professor Flitwick piped up. "And the Weasley twins? How are they faring?"
"Sent them back to safety," Erwin said.
McGonagall sighed in relief. "Those boys were under the Imperius Curse. Lucky you spotted it early and smoothed things over—otherwise, their futures would be in tatters."
"It's the least I could do," Erwin said modestly. "They're Hogwarts students, my classmates after all."
"You showed real grace, helping Ron despite his history with you," she added. "He'd have been in deep water otherwise."
Erwin waved it off. "Nothing to it, Professor."
Professor Sprout beamed. "You're a model student, Erwin. Ah, here they come."
Erwin and the professors turned toward the passage as the group emerged, wands at the ready.
McGonagall approved. "Good—they're staying alert."
Erwin's eyes lingered on Charlotte and the trailing Lockhart. Just as expected: the professor's gaze was empty, bewitched.
Harry and the others scanned the chamber, confusion mounting.
Draco peered around. "Where is everyone? Harry, you sure this is the right spot?"
"Has to be," Harry said firmly. "This is the Chamber of Secrets."
"Then where's the opener? And the basilisk?"
Harry frowned, equally puzzled. Everyone had vanished.
Snape glanced at Erwin. "When do we start, then?"
"Hold on, Godfather," Erwin said with a grin. "The real culprit hasn't revealed himself yet."
As if on cue, Charlotte's hand brushed her right arm—a subtle signal. She gave a faint nod.
Lockhart's hand shot to his wand, leveling it at her. "Expelliarmus!"
But Charlotte was faster, her own Disarming Charm whipping out in retaliation.
Chaos erupted among the students.
Harry stared in disbelief. "Professor Lockhart—what the—?"
Lockhart's face twisted into a sneer. "You've meddled too far. Today, you all meet your end!"
The young witches and wizards exchanged uneasy glances. Confidence? From him? The man's spells were as reliable as a chocolate frog in a cauldron.
"Attack!" Charlotte barked. "He's compromised—take him down!"
Wands flashed. A barrage of spells—Stunners, Bindings, even a few wayward Jelly-Legs Jinxes—surged toward Lockhart.
She released the Imperius Curse mid-volley. He blinked, awareness flickering back just as the magic hit.
"Wait—"
Too late. The onslaught slammed into him, hurling his body backward. He smashed against the far wall, where a jagged stone spike protruded. It pierced his chest clean through.
Lockhart gasped once, then went limp—dead before he hit the ground, felled by the students' combined fury.
Erwin averted his eyes from the grim scene on the wall.
McGonagall shot to her feet, horrified. "Those children—how could they act so rashly!"
"Professor," Erwin said calmly, "Lockhart was clearly under a curse. Suspicious from the start."
...
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